Owen: Potters can keep going

26 December 2012 08:18

Stoke striker Michael Owen is optimistic the team can keep their recent run of good form going as the hectic festive period continues.
Ahead of Wednesday evening's Premier League clash with Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium, the Potters are unbeaten in their last eight games, a sequence which has seen them pick up 16 points and surge into the top half of the table.
A hamstring injury has prevented Owen from playing a part in those matches but he could be in line to make his return to action tonight against his old club.
And the former England international is confident the Potters - who host Southampton on Saturday before travelling to Manchester City on New Year's Day - can keep up their momentum.
"I don't see any reason why not," Owen told Independent Sports News.
"We had a really tough start to the season and we picked up points against some of the big teams.
"Then we went into a period of games where you would look at them on paper and say we had a chance of picking up points, and we have duly done that.
"We are on a nice run of form. Every game is tough in the Premier League, but there is no reason why we can't continue it."
Owen - who last featured for Stoke on October 27 - has plenty of happy memories from his time at Liverpool, but does not look back too fondly on the occasions he has played against them.
The 33-year-old enjoyed the most prolific days of his career with the Merseyside club, where he came through the youth ranks.
Since leaving the Reds in 2004, though, he has failed to score a single goal against them and he admits he has rarely had much fun when being on the opposing team.
Owen, who departed Anfield for Real Madrid and moved on to Newcastle and Manchester United before joining Stoke this season, said: "It is a strange feeling really playing against your old club, especially one you where you were there for around 15 years.
"They are a big part of my life and career, and I had some of the best times of my life at the club.
"So certainly, I have happy memories. I have not been so happy playing against them since - I have never scored and not particularly enjoyed it."